Steam heating



M. W. STOUT STEAM HEATING Fild Jan. 20, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

M 72d W Oct. 17, 1939. M. w. STOUT 2,176,230

STEAM HEATING Filed Jan. 20, 1936 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 17, 1939 2,176,230

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEAM HEATING Minor W. Stout, Webster Groves, Mo.

Application January 20, 1936, Serial No. 59,856

4 Claims. (01. 237-67) This invention relates to improvements in a boiler, which for purposes of the present desteam heating, and more particularly to improved scription may be regarded broadly as a steam steam apparatus for certain industrial heating generating unit of any desirable or suitable type. purposes. The boiler 2 is provided with a dome 3 and a 5 It is among the general objects of this invensteam supply line 4, to which is connected one 6 tion to improve the heat balance in industrial or more branches 5 for the supply of steamheating installations, such for example as consuming units, which in a laundry installation laundries, and to economize, through an increase may be typified by a flat work ironer 6 and a in efficiency of the system, in both pounds of press 1. The ironer 6 is provided with a con- 0 fuel required and gallonage of water heretofore densate return line'8, and the press with a cor- 1 necessary in systems of the broad category or responding return line 9, the several return pipes type referred to. being directed to a condensate receiver or reser- Yet another object of the invention is attained voir H1. in improved means for controlling the condensate Directed from the bottom of the condensate flow from steam-consuming units either of difreservoir I0, is a return pipe ll, leading preferferent type, or relatively so located as to require ably to the inlet fitting of a pump designated different discharge or outlet pressures for comgenerally at l2, the pump being preferably of a parable steam flow and evacuation of condensate, rotary yp characterized y an p impeller, this object being presently expressed in reference such as a centrifugal pump, as shown, or a soto the installation of such units in a system charcalled peripheral pump. It is a further 20 acterized by a common steam supply and common preference to provide a pump of a type in which condensate return provisions. The practice charthe impeller clearance may be adjusted, all as acterizing the present invention in this respect, hereinafter more fully described. enables a substantial variation in pressure drop The pump I2 is provided, by preference, with a through the units, even though the units be conhorizontally disposed discharge port !3, the dis- 25 nected in a closed system and supplied from a charge being connected into a boiler return pipe common pressure source, such as a boiler. I4 through which the condensate is delievered or The present application constitutes certain imreturned, past a check valve 15 which is, by provements' over and modifications of the subpreference, of swinging gate, rather than of plug jects disclosed and claimed in U. S. Patent No. type, and thence is impelled t o a o a- 30 1,984,290 issued December 11, 1934 to this aption of the line H: to the boiler 2. The provision plicant, and the foregoing and numerous other of a horizontal discharge line adjacent the pump, objects will more fully appear from the following tends to avoid steam pockets which might otherdetailed description of the apparatus preferably Wise result at the top or on the discharge side of utilized and illustrated bythe accompanying the pump. 35 drawings, in which: As a convenient and preferred expedient for Fig. l is a schematic layout of a steam system adding makeup water to the system, a booster in which are incorporated the principles of the pump 16 is utilized, the inlet side of this pump present invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional being connected to a suitable source of supply inelevation through the condensate receiver or dicated at ll, and which may consist, for ex- 40 reservoir of Fig. 1, as viewed along line 2-2 ample, of the usual municipal supply main. In thereof; Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in seccase the supply pressure satisfactorily exceeds tion, of a condensate pumping unit of a type the working pressures, the booster pump may be preferred for use in the practice of the present dispensed with. Assuming the pump to be invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic elevation in the utilized, as in most installations, its discharge is 45 nature of a piping diagram of certain parts of a directed as through a pipe i8 through a suitable steam system employing steam-consuming units check valve l9, and thence through means hereof dissimilar type, and illustrating a provision inafter described, into the condensate reservoir for compensation of condensate removal from [0. In certain installations, and as may be deand steam delivery to the difi'erent units, and Fig. sired, a float switch 20, or its equivalent, serves 50 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional elevation with the pump I6, when motor driven, to start of one of the steam-consuming units shown by the booster pump as the water level in the boiler Fig. 4. 2 permits a float 2| to actuate the switch 26.

Referring now by characters of reference to The switch is connected as through a control the drawings, there is indicated generally at 2, line 22 to the motor (not shown) for the booster 55 pump. Obviously, the booster pump may be selectively controlled by manual means, either alone or adjunctively to the automatic control described.

One of the improvements characterizing the present practice and apparatus, consists in the provision for introducing the makeup water to the system, as from the pump 5 and line 18, in the form of a divided stream, and entirely within a steam zone of the return portions of the system. This desirability is exemplified in. the present example by a nozzle 25 (Figs. 1 and 2). An economical and effective manner of producing such a nozzle is to utilize a section of pipe on the terminus of the line !8, internally of the receiving tank Hi. The nozzle 25 may be disposed vertically, or at an angle to the vertical, as shown by Fig. 1. It is preferably characterized by a plurality of horizontal apertures, conveniently formed as saw-cuts 26. The lower end 21 of the nozzle 25 being closed, the slotted openings 2G serve to deliver the makeup water or such water as may be required for cooling and condensing effects, in the form of a plurality of flat streams which are by preference directioned axially of the container l0.

As a convenient means for supporting or mounting the receiver IE], it is my preference to utilize a pair or more of spaced saddle elements 36; These may conveniently consist of metal members carried by a base, or mounted directly on the supporting floor. Where base mounted, the same substructure is conveniently utilized to support the motor and pump assembly of Fig. 3, hereinafter described.

The air-venting provision in the example of the disclosure, consists of a short riser pipe 3i at the top of the receiver, to which is connected, as through an L fitting, a branched pipe 32, one of the branches of which may, if desired, be provided with a manually operable valve such as a pet cook 33, and the other branch of which is characterized by at least a moderate slope, as appears in Fig. 2. This sloped section of conduit is provided at its outer end with an L 34, serving to carry a thermal-responsive air-relief valve 35.

Referring now to the type of pumping unit preferred for use as a part of the present system by further preference of a design adapted for continuous operation when the system is in use, there is illustrated by Fig. 3 a direct-connected assembly embodying an electric motor 48, carried by a base 4! and connected as through a coupling Q2 to the pump. This coupling is preferably of a type, for reasons which will appear, to permit a certain limited axial movement of the pump shaft without disturbing the axial setting of the motor shaft. By preference, the unit is characterized by bearings or journalling provisions entirely intermediate the motor and the pump, this assembly being indicated generally at i? and including an axially adjustable thrust bearing 44 of anti-friction or ball type, adjacent which is an adjusting nut 5. The pump housing 56 serves operatively to enclose a pump impeller or runner 41. In the example of the disclosure this is of ha1f-0pen or open-side type, and the operating clearance 48 of the run ner is obviously adjustable at any time through adjustment of the nut 45. The inlet 5% of the p np is shown as applied through the line H from the condensate receiver I0. It will appear as obvious from the showing of Fig. 3 and the provisions for adjustment, that the clearance 43 provides a continuous steam by-pass around the impeller 41 so that at all times the steam pressure in the lines I I and I4 is practically the same. Referring now to the arrangement of Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, there are illustrated, by way of example, a plurality of presses 55, each provided with its individual return line 56 and steam supply branches 5!. The condensate return lines 56 communicate with a common conduit or header 58, shown as discharging into a vertical or riser pipe 60 which is connected through a U-shapedor loop portion indicated generally at 5!, and thence to the lower portion of a condensate receiver 62. The latter element may be of the same construction and arrangement as the receiver I!) of Fig. 1, and is provided with an air-vent pipe consisting of portions 63 and 84 including a heavy duty air-relief vent or valve 65, which may be of the same type as the one illustrated at 35 in Fig. 1. A fresh water supply pipe is shown at 10, and the receiver 52 is provided internally with a spray nozzle H which may be and is preferably of the same type as that shown at 25. The receiver 62 is preferably kept substantially evacuated of liquid, through a condensate return line 12 connected to the inlet of a pump 13 which may be and is preferably of the type illustrated by Fig. 3.

The arrangement of Fig. 4 shows an improved provision for connecting steam-consuming units requiring different steam pressure drops therethrough in order to effect comparable rates of steam flow to the units, and to effect an equivalent disposal of condensate therefrom. This condition often prevails where the consuming units are of different types as illustrated by Fig. l, wherein 15 represents a steam-heated roll, such as an ironer, paper mill roll or many of the other elements of this general type utilized for industrial heating and processing. The members '15, since each is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, are provided with an axial steam supply line or inlet 16, and an outlet or condensate return line 11. Due to the rotation of the member 1'5, the return line is curved downwardly so that its inlet is always at the bottom of the chamber within the roll, this internal, downturned portion being indicated at 18. The line ll'l8 is preferably provided with a pet cook which may be utilized for inspection purposes and for initiating the siphon effect through pipe 78, after a shutdown period. The line ll is directed from this point into a T fitting BI. As a convenient and economical means of making up this fitting, one or the upper end of the T is provided with a threaded plug 82 which serves threadedly to carry a makeup water inlet pipe 83, which projects downwardly substantially beyond the end of pipe H, the latter projecting through a threaded plug 84 in the side of the fitting. Pipes 83 may be connected to the water supply as through a booster pump (not shown) and may be provided with valves (not shown). It re sults from the arrangement illustrated by Fig. 5 that water admitted through the pipe 83, due to its projection beyond the pipe H and the clearance about the element 83 where it projects into the condensate drain line 85, causes this element to function as an ejector, tending to evacuate the condensate from the roll 15. This action of the assembly results in a reduction in pressure within and beyond the T fitting in a manner to lift the condensate through the distance approximating the radius of the roll l5.

In case the fitting 8| may not be utilized as an ejector, it will appear that there is normally required a greater pressure drop throughand beyond the element 15, particularly in the line 85, than is necessary in connection with the presses 55 which will tend to drain themselves of condensate largely by gravity. In order to provide the requisite differential in pressure drop, and to compensate for the normal difierence in steam flow through the units such as 55 and 75, I have provided what may be termed a balancing loop, structurally identified in the present examplewith the U shaped portion 6| of the return line Bil. As will appear from Fig. 4, this will provide a water seal and a definite pressure head tending to oppose the delivery of condensate from the lines 58 and 60 to the receiver 62. This arrangement has been found in practice to maintain a self-perpetuating column of condensate 90 in the U shaped leg or loop 6|, which is substantially that desired to compensate for the pressure drop in line 85 necessary to lift the condensate from the bottom portions of the rolls, into the return line 85.

Since the function of the several items of apparatus has been described in connection with the structure of each, the operation of the system as a whole is now thought to be obvious to those skilled in the art, it being noted that the steam generated by the boiler is delivered via the supply lines to the consuming units, whence the condensate is delivered by the return lines to the receiver, wherein the flash steam is condensed, and condensate together with makeup water is returned to the boiler by the centrifugal pump. The pump and other major items are connected in a closed, air-free system and fully attain each of the objects herein expressed and implied.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a steam-producing and consuming system, a boiler, a plurality of steam-constfining units of dissimilar steam consuming and condensate-forming characteristics, supply piping connecting the boiler and said units, return piping connecting the units to the boiler, the return piping including a condensate reservoir, a centrifugal pump of open impeller type, having its intake connected to the lower portion of the reservoir and completing the return line therefrom to the boiler, the pump being of continuouslyoperating type and adapted to separate steam and condensate water, the return line from at least one of the steam-consuming units to the reservoir being characterized by a portion extending to a point substantially below the zone of connection of the pump to said reservoir, and so arranged as normally to maintain in said portion of the return line, a body of condensate tending to oppose, by a predetermined hydrostatic head, the flow of condensate from the consuming unit to which it is connected.

2. In a steam-producing and consuming system, a boiler, a plurality of steam-consuming units of dissimilar steam consuming and condensate-forming characteristics, supply piping connecting the boiler and said units, return piping connecting the units to the boiler, the return piping including a condensate reservoir, a centrifugal pump of open impeller type, a connection from the lower portion of the reservoir to the pump, and completing the return line to the boiler, the pump being of a continuously-operating type and adapted to separate steam and condensate water, the return line from at least one of the steam-consuming units to the reservoir being characterized by a portion extending to a point substantially below the zone of connection of the pump to said reservoir and so arranged as normally to maintain in said portion of the return line, a body of condensate tending to oppose, by a predetermined hydrostatic head, the flow of condensate fromthe consuming unit to which it is connected, the several portions of the return piping between the consuming units and the condensate reservoir, as well as said reservoir, pump and return piping to the boiler, being characterized by absence of check valves, and arranged to provide a continuously open return system from the consuming units through the reservoir and pump, to the boiler.

3. In a steam-producing and consuming system, a boiler, a pair of steam-consuming units of dissimilar steam consuming and condensateforming characteristics, supply piping connecting the boiler and said units, return piping connect" ing the units to the boiler, the return piping including a condensate reservoir, separate return lines from the consuming units to the reservoir, a centrifugal pump of open impeller type, having its intake connected to the lower portion of the reservoir and completing the return therefrom to the boiler, the pump being of continuouslyoperating type and adapted to separate steam and condensate water, the return line from one of the steam-consuming units to the reservoir including a Ushaped, balancing loop portion extending from the associated unit to a point substantially below the zone of connection of the pump to said reservoir, the last said return line being characterized by absence of obstructions, and so arranged as normally to maintain in said portion of the return line, a body of condensate tending to oppose, by a predetermined hydrostatic head, the flow of condensate from the consuming unit to which it is connected.

4. In a steam-producing and consuming system, a boiler, a plurality of steam-consuming units of dissimilar steam consuming and condensate-forming characteristics, supply piping connecting the boiler and said units, return piping connecting the units to the boiler, the return piping including a condensate reservoir, means for automatically relieving the reservoir of air collecting therein, a centrifugal pump of open impeller type, a connection from the lower portion of the reservoir to the pump, and completing the return line to the boiler, the pump being of a continuously-operating type and adapted to separate steam and condensate water, means associated with the pump for adjusting its impeller clearance, the return line from at least one of the steam-consuming units to the reservoir being characterized by a wide, U-shaped portion extending to a point substantially below the zone of connection of the pump to said reservoir and constituting a balancing loop so arranged as normally to maintain in said portion of the return line, a body of condensate tending to oppose, by a predetermined hydrostatic head, the flow of condensate from the consuming unit to which it is connected, the several portions of the condensate return piping between the consuming units and the condensate reservoir, as well as said reservoir, being arranged to provide a continuously open return system from the consuming units through the reservoir and pump, to the boiler.

MINOR W. STOUT. 

